This workshop is open for any level of physical fitness as we will begin with slow, concise movements of earth element before working up to the elements of water, wind, and fire. Practice swords will be provided or you can custom order (let us know before 12/25/2022) a TogChöd sword. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and bring your water bottles!
2/10 5pm – Check-in, pickup swords
2/11 9:30am – 4:30pm – Class
2/12 9:30am – 4:30pm – Class
Cost of workshop: $250 + Accommodations
Optional TogChöd Sword, handmade in Spain, customized for your height, w/choice of carved symbol and mantra inside the hilt: $100 + shipping
Tog Chöd, the practice of the Wisdom Sword, is a powerful meditation in motion using a wooden sword. “Tog” means “thought” and “Chöd” means “cut”. Mantras support the movements with the sword and help to work intensively with one’s own expectations and fears and to cut our anger, attachment, and ignorance–body, speech and mind are unified.
This dynamic practice aims at reducing fear and expectations, dissolving mental imprints and overcoming negative emotions. Tog Chöd helps us to go beyond the state of thinking and to be able to abide in a state of a calm mind.
Its flowing movements are decisive and empowering as we stomp on our enemies, which are our own negative emotions. There are no enemies outside ourselves, and when we realize this, we can stop struggling with the external world and learn to create our own reality.
The sword symbolizes our own innate wisdom. Wielding this sword, we cut through our conceptual mind. We cut our thoughts of fear and expectations that keep us from being in this beautiful present moment.
With wisdom, we can transform our negative emotions and truly change ourselves. We only need to decide to do it.
